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Friday, October 5, 2012

Our visit to Sesame Street

My life is complete.

I got to meet my son's Hero, whom I believe was one of the nicest men I've ever met.

Kevin Clash (Elmo) didn't have to be on the set the day Mom and I met him. He came in anyway to meet us and show us around. He literally could not have been any more wonderful. Even more so than I had imagined. When we met, he acted like he had known us for years. He introduced us to everyone on the set as "his friends." Many of the people whom he had already told Tripp's story to... who hugged us, offered their condolences, and treated us SO nicely.

It really made me feel good to know that these people knew about my baby.

It was truly special.

We got to watch as they set everything up and then got to see them film part of an episode of Sesame Street. It was such a great experience to see that.

We also met Mr. Roscoe Orman, who has played "Gordon" since 1973.

I KNOW most of you have to remember Gordon, right?!

Kevin was so patient with us, even as we tried to take 100 pictures of everything while they were trying to set up for the taping. He made sure we got pictures of everything.

We got to get in Oscar's garbage can...

And we got to meet, Mr. Caroll Spinney, the man who has been the voice of Oscar the Grouch AND Big Bird since the beginning of Sesame Street.

I believe he is about to turn 79 years old.

It was amazing to watch him perform with Oscar.

We got to meet the cute little Abby Cadabby, voice of Ms. Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, who is just amazing.

She made us cry... because she was just so sweet.

We also found the garden where Elmo taped the song about his

"Little Butterfly Friend."

I want to send a HUGE thank you to Kevin Clash and everyone at Sesame Street who made this day so special for us. And I especially want to thank Kimberly Sokol- the one who set all of this up and made this whole experience possible for us! She worked with Kevin to get a time, she got us a car service to and from our hotel, and made sure everything was perfect.

I am so grateful to all of you!

It was SUCH a special day.

A day that I will never forget, and a day that I'm sure that Tripp shared with us.

Oh yes, I remember Gordon and Sesame Street looks the same as ever! I'm so happy you got to have this experience.

I have been praying so much for you. The Lord led me to your blog after I had asked Him who should be featured for this month's Meal in the Mail on my blog. He led me straight to your blog. I will be sending you a Meal in the Mail (a restaurant gift card) this month on behalf of all my readers...and all of our prayers are lifting your name up to the Lord this month...and months to come!! I pray you feel them and know He cares so much for you.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

Amazing, wonderful, oh my I shed a few tears! I am so happy you got to have this awesome experience : )We love sesame street, and this is such a great testimony of how caring these people really are : )~tracey

Kevin clash is truly amazing! A wonderful story! Just like Tripp! I was going to tweet you the other day saying that every time I see a Elmo I think of Tripp! He's touched my heart all the way over here in AZ!

How wonderfully special!! I know that meeting Kevin was bittersweet, but I hope it gives you strength and courage for each day. Did Kevin tape "Little Butterfly Friend" for Tripp? It just seemed so perfect for Tripp. Thinking of you & keeping you in my prayers!!!

That is so cool that you got to hang out on the "Sesame Street" set and meet Kevin and Elmo and Gordon and everybody! Awesome! Did you get to meet Bob McGrath? My friend and I met him last spring and he was sooo nice!

I cant even begin to imagine the emotions that you were dealing with while getting to be there and see Elmo and friends and actually talk to them and talk about Tripp! There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and Tripp. Your an amazing woman in all that you do and You and Tripp are changing the world.

I love so much that we are able to see photos of you smiling and to read posts where you are happy. You blessed Tripp with so many smiles and happy memories, now he is returning the favor. You are one very loved Mommy!

Wow...such a special day. I am sure that Tripp was with you every step of the way. So glad you could make this trip and feel the magic of Sesame Street. What great memories you are making sweet Courtney. Leah always had a fondness for Big Bird, and I always think of Tripp when I see Elmo. Take care. Love and Peace Leah's Nana

oh Courtney, I knew before I even started reading that this post would make me cry! So beautiful. I watched the documentary on Netflix about Kevin and of course, thought about his relationship to you and Tripp the entire time. He's one amazing human being! And so are you, Tripp and that mom of yours =). Love always.

I just saw on Joss and Main that Orlando bloom has a collection that you can buy stuff from and he is giving a portion of the funds to eb. I instantly thought of you and Tripp. Its pretty cool... Anyways, just thought of you guys.. I'm thankful that you write this blog and share your life with us and I'm thankful that you continue to share with us.

Courtney,We have some very good friends who also lost their baby boy to this awful disease. I have been following your blog for about a year and just wanted to let you know that I've prayed for you all. It's wonderful that you got to go to Sesame Street and meet all of Trip's heros:)Blessings,Rebecca

I have been a silent lurker for awhile, but I am so happy that you got to go see Tripp's hero! Your son is an angel and I know he is watching over you and your family! Sounds like it was a special day!

This post brought happy tears to my eyes. What a beautiful man to have made your day! It never ceases to amaze me how one person's kindness can make such a difference in that of another's heart...and especially that of a broken heart.

I love every single one of those pictures and I swear, you both would have laughed at how slowly I scrolled through them, and then back up again...just in case I missed any little detail. You two are so beautiful, and while I know you are missing so very much, I am happy to know you have so much at the very same time.

My love to you, especially tomorrow as you embark on your amazing journey. I hope you find everything you are seeking and more.

Hi! I have followed your life more than a year now (and once I wrote a long comment but couldn't publish it as anonymous), and I just wanted to tell you that you have forced me to think about life more than I usually do.

I have cried for hours while reading your and your sad, but somehow so glad and loving stories about your son. I have thought that I really should appreciate the fact that I'm physically and mentally okay. It's a thing you can never respect too much.

I was so sorry when I heard about your son's decease, but the only thing that I can say is that I hope he's now in better place. I DO appreciate you, your lovely and beautiful son and the way you write and fight for all the children suffering from EB (which is a disease I had never even heard about. Before I found this blog).

This post made me smile. Because you are smiling in those photos. It's so great to see you smiling despite the hard things you have experienced. It is propably the thing your son would want you to do!

Best wishes from Finland

ps. forgive me all my possible typos, English is not my mother tongue, and I'm only 18 years old :)

I hope you git to go wIth youer babby boy one day. and you are very pritey and I loock at youer post very day I miss you and tripp and I hop you have fun and I pray for you every night,love callie bourgeois I love you and tripp love all of you

Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. They told us he would not live to be a year old. Every day he amazes us by his strength. He is a fighter and with all he has been through, he has never given up. He is the strongest person I know. Tripp wakes up each morning with a smile on his face. Every day spent with him is a blessing. God has a special plan for him. I'm just blessed to be able to witness that plan.

My name is Courtney and I am from the small town of Ponchatoula, LA. Before I became a mommy to Tripp, I worked as a nurse in geriatric/psychiatric. I loved and miss my job, but I loved being a stay-at-home mom much more. My son lost his battle with a serious skin disease in January of 2012. He took a piece of my heart with him when he left. Being his mom brought more joy into my life than I ever thought possible. Tripp taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice and my life will never be the same.

I am remarried to the man of my dreams and I am currently trying take each day one breath at a time, thanking God for not abandoning me on this journey.

A Special Child

You weren’t like other children,And God was well aware,You’d need a caring family,With love enough to share.And so He sent you to us,And much to our surprise,You haven’t been a challenge,But a blessing in disguise.Your winning smiles and laughter,The pleasures you impart,Far outweigh your special needs,And melt the coldest heart.We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,To help you learn and grow,The job that you have brought us,Is more than you can know.A precious gift from Heaven,A treasure from above,A child who’s taught us many things,But most of all- “Real Love”